The Team

Chaitanya Saxena, Ph.D. (Chief Executive Officer and BoD)

With 10+ years of experience in utilizing biophysical techniques to solve the relevant problems in life sciences, Chaitanya is a seasoned professional and bring successful experience of developing technologies for drug-target deconvolution and drug-target interaction measurements in intact biological systems from his tenure at Eli Lilly & Company. Chaitanya earned a Ph.D. from The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA. Along with technical expertise Chaitanya also brings a solid experience of conceptualizing, developing and managing start-up and nascent organizations. Earlier he served as the Board of Director for ‘Kshitiz Inc.’ from 2004-2007. He also directly handled project management efforts of several internationally reputed non-profit organizations. These transferable managerial skills are playing a key role in shaping Shantani.

Yanping Yan, Ph.D. (Chief Operating Officer)

With 8+ years of experience in conducting cutting-edge life science research Yanping brings a strong experience of working in two leading economies of the world - China and USA. She worked on the forefront of the axonal transport research and holds claims of developing widely acclaimed live-cell chamber neurofilament capture techniques. Yanping completed her Ph.D. from The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA. Yanping’s exceptional project management and operational skills are playing critical role in defining, executing and delivering company objectives.

Kaushik Gala, M.B.A. (Board of Directors)

Kaushik Gala brings over 12 years of technology and business experience, including professional stints at Motorola, Freescale and IPVALUE and an entrepreneurial role at Moneyoga. He is currently Sr. Manager - New Ventures with Entrepreneurship Development Center ('Venture Center') helping nurture and nucleate science and technology startups in the Pune region. He works closely with a variety of science and technology enterprises to assist them with proof-of-concept, business planning, venture fund-raising, access to scientific infrastructure and high-value referrals. Kaushik holds BE (CoEP), MS (University of Minnesota) and MBA (University of Texas) degrees.

Vikas Saxena, M.Tech. (Director - Business Strategies and BoD)

With 14+ years of experience in developing technologies and managing technology based enterprises Vikas brings a strong international business experience of working in USA, Europe and India. His direct experience of establishing Renishaw’s software operations in India will facilitate establishing the technology based business of Shantani. Vikas earned a Masters degree in Technology from Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur, UP, India. Vikas’s exceptional business management skills are playing key role in evolving a scientific idea into a viable business.